Mysterious glowing jellyfish discovered near Mariana Trench

Like something out of the glowing alien world of James Cameron's "Avatar," researchers surveying waters around the famed Mariana Trench have discovered a new species of jellyfish that looks out-of-this-world.

The stunningly beautiful creature was discovered at a depth of 2.3 miles using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) underwater remote-operated vehicle, Deep Discoverer. Marine biologists believe the "UFO Jelly" is a type of "hydromedusa" of the genus Crossota, a kind of ambush-predator that lies in wait for something to unwittingly drift by its many out-stretched tentacles. The glowing yellow and red areas inside its bell are likely the animal's gonads and digestive system.

The unnamed jellyfish looks like a firework from below in this shot by the ROV Deep Discoverer. (Photo: NOAA)

For those interested in following the research team as they make more discoveries, the three-cruise expedition from April 20 to July 10 is being live-streamed in glorious 720p. Cameras will run from 4:30 p.m. EST to 12:30 a.m., so grab some popcorn and prepare to have you mind blown by whatever else is hiding down there.